Milledge Marvell Smith

“I wanna go where the thunder don’t roar,
there where trouble winds don’t blow.
I wanna go where the rain don’t pour,
when I leave this world to return no more.”

On January 13, 2022, THE LORD called Home a good and faithful servant, Milledge Marvell Smith.  Marvell was born to the late Milledge Smith and Ruth Levonia Smith on September 15, 1932.  He received his education at Union Hill School, and in 1965, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Jeannette Moses Smith.  To this union, four daughters were born.

Throughout his life, he was a loyal member of Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Southern District, where he served until his health failed.  During his church tenure, he served in many capacities.  Even during his sickness, he continued his responsibilities to the church, including tithing.

For most of his life, he was a farmer.  He also drove school buses in Early County for thirty-three years.  He was known throughout the tri-state area for his singing.  “Thunder” was his signature song, but he will also be remembered for “No Tears in Heaven”, “Hello, Mother”, and “Hold to GOD’S Unchanging Hand”.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings:  Maude Delores Smith, Rosa Earnestine Smith Tolbert, and Baby Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-six years and caregiver, Jeannette Smith; five daughters:  Yolanda Curtis (Adrian), Stephanie Davis (Arthur), Marva Smith-Mincey (Jerry), Katrina Smith, and Natalie Smith-Ealey (Kevin); nine grandchildren:  Brittany Curtis, Logan Curtis, Andrea Davis, Adonis Davis, Ariana Davis, Jeremiah Mincey, Christian Mincey, D’Ziyah Reed, and his best friend and caregiver, Cameron Mincey; a brother, Benjamin Smith (Elnita); a godson, Cedric Moses (Utrina); five sisters-in-law:  Ardelia Young, Alvetta Butler (Arthur), Sarah Bush, Brenda Moses-Cannon, and Mary Moses; four brothers-in-law:  Thomas Moses, Marzell Moses (Mandy), Maurice Moses (Mildred), and Elliott Moses (Cindy); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

“I wanna go where there’s peace and harmony,
where little children won’t be afraid to walk the streets.
I wanna go where there is joy and peace of mind,
in that land–where there’ll be no more dying.”

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